The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has warned that Nigeria’s Ebola response must not be used to restrict political participation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He raised concerns over the possibility of the health emergency being exploited for political purposes.
Sowore made the remarks in a statement on X while reacting to the reported Ebola case in Nigeria,.
“I firmly believe he knows he cannot win a genuinely free and fair electoral contest,” Sowore said, referring to President Bola Tinubu.
He warned that public health emergencies must not be used to limit citizens’ freedoms or interfere with democratic participation.
Sowore also questioned Nigeria’s communication with Uganda over reports that the woman diagnosed with Ebola had transited through the country after visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He asked why Nigerian authorities had allegedly delayed sharing information about the woman’s travel and medical history, raising concerns about disease surveillance and international coordination.
The presidential candidate further questioned the reported appointment of Femi Gbajabiamila to lead Nigeria’s Presidential Task Force on Ebola Preparedness, arguing that qualified public health professionals should play a central role in the response.
“Public health must protect lives, not become an instrument of political control,” he said, calling for transparent information, effective contact tracing and proper medical care.
2027: Sowore raises alarm over possible politicization of Ebola outbreak